Packing apparatus



A ril 7, 1931. D. w. WADSWORTH PACKING APPARATUS 9 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Nov.

36%? A TTORNEYS m mw m W M M D Patented Apr. 7, 1931 DWIGHT W.WADSWORTH, OF FENNVILLE, MICHIGAN PACKING APPARATUS Application filedNovember 9, 1929.

In the packing of fruits and vegetables, it is quite common practice toprovide a packing receptacle or device which permits the desiredarrangement of a facing, place a basket or container over the packingdevice in inverted position and then reverse the receptacle so that thefacing is properly presented on the receptacle.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an apparatus by means of which receptacles, such asbushel baskets, may be quickly reversed with a minimum of eifort on thepart of the operator.

Second, to provide an apparatus of this character in which thereceptacle is automatically secured to the reversing table merely by theact of placing the receptacle in inverted position upon the table, theweight of the receptacle acting to lock the receptacle to the 2 holderduring the reversing movement.

Third, to provide an apparatus of this character in which the receptacleis automatically discharged from the reversing table without disturbingthe contents thereof.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appearfrom the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed outin the claims. p

A. structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a rear perspective View of an apparatus embodying the featuresof my invention with a receptacle mounted on the table.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation with the parts in positionshownin Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation with the table in reversed position,successive positions of the receptacle as discharged being indicated bydotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view looking from the right of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front elevation showing details of the dischargeconveyor.

Fig. 6 is a detail view illustrating the relation of the receptacleholders to the recep-' tacle and the action of the receptacle in movingthe holder to engaging position, the holder being shown in open positionby full lines Serial No. 405,902.

and in closed or receptacle engaging position by dotted lines.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan View of the parts shown in Fig. 6.

In the embodiment of my improvements illustrated, I provide a pair ofbase members 1 having uprights 2 mounted thereon. These uprights areconnected at their lower ends by means of the cross piece 3 and at anintermediate point by means of the cross piece 4, this cross piece beingmounted on the uprights for vertical adjustment, it having sleeves 5 atits ends slidable on the uprights and held in adjusted position by meansof the screws '6. The table supporting brackets 7 preferably in the formof castings, are mounted on the upper ends, these supports havingcollars or sleeves 8 and 9 vertically adjustable on the uprights andsecured in adjusted position by the set screws 10. These brackets havevertically elongated bearings 11 and keepers 12 and 13, the keepershaving forwardly and downwardly inclined guides 14 and 15 respectively,the purpose of which will appear as the description proceeds.

The table 16 is of a size and character to receive a receptacle 17, thestructure illustrated being designed to handle bushel baskets, and thefacing member 18.

The table is reversibly supported by the arm-like hangers 19 havingjournals 20 en gaging the bearings 11 in the supporting brackets.

The table is provided with stud-like detents or latches 21 provided withrollers adapted to engage with the roller 12 when the table is in itsupright position shown in Fig. 1 or with the keeper 13 when the table isin its reversed position as shown in Fig. 3, the detents traveling upthe inclined guides 14 and 15 as the table is swung from one position toanother, dropping into the detents when the table is in completelyreversed position or in its initial upright position. A slight upwardlift of the table frees the dents from the keepers.

At the rear of the table is an angled post 22, this post being mountedfor longitudinal adjustment in the bracket 23 with its arm 24 inoverhanging relation to the receptacle. This arm carries a pivot for theangled holder members 26, the arms 27 of these holders being adapted toengage the bottom of the receptacle while the arms 28 are adapted toengage the rear edge thereof so that as the receptacle is pushedrearwardly on the table it engages the arms 28 as shown in Fig. 6,carrying the arms 27 downwardly on the receptacle and as the table isreversed, the weight of the receptacle tends to urge the holder toholding or clamping position. As soon, however, as the table isreversed, the holder permits the receptacle to drop onto the way members29 which are disposed in spaced relation with their forward ends belowthe table and between the uprights.

These way members 29 are provided with a plurality of rollers 30 so thatthe receptacle travels down the same by gravity and onto a suitableconveyor, not illustrated.

To ease the receptacle onto the discharge way, I provide a pair oftransfer arms 31 which are pivoted on the cross piece 3 to projectupwardly between the way members. it coiled spring 32 acts to hold thesearms in their forward or receiving position as shown in Fig. 3, the armsswinging down as the receptacle is discharged from the holders asindicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3.

The holders serve as slides for the receptacle, see Fig. 3, so that itis automatically discharged upon the way when the table is reversed.

The holders are yieldingly held against the stops 3;) by means of thesprings 3 so that they do not interfere with the operator placing thereceptacle upon the table but, as stated, when the receptacle engagesthe arms 28 of the holders they are swung down into operative engagementwith the receptacle and as the table is reversed the weight of thereceptacle holds them in engagement.

The table so balanced with a filled receptacle thereon, as shown inFigs. 1 and 2. that the gratest weight is at the rear so that a slightupward pull on the front end of the table disengages the detent from thekeeper and the table automatically swings to reversed position with thedetent in engagement with the keeper 13. As soon as the receptacledischarged a forward pull on the table returns it to upright position.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment whichhas proven highly practical. I have not attempted to illustrateanddescribe various modifications and adaptations which I contemplate asit is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the artto embody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In anappaartus of the class descr bed, the combination of a supportcomprising spaced uprights, a pair of supporting brackets havingvertically elongated bearings therein and forwardly facing keepers aboveand below said bearings, said keepers being provided with downwardlyinclined guides, a table provided with hangers journaled in saidbearings in said supporting brackets and provided with detents adaptedto engage with the lower keepers when the table is in inverted position,an angled post mounted for longitudinal adjustment on the rear end ofsaid table in overhanging relation to a receptacle on the table, areceptacle holder pivotally mounted on said post and having arms onopposite sides of its pivot disposed at an angle to each other, one armbeing adapted to engage the bottom of a receptacle and the other an edgethereof, spaced rearwardly inclined way members disposed with theirfront ends below said table to receive the receptacle dischargedtherefrom, transfer arms pivotally mounted at their lower ends on saidsupport to project upwardly and rearwardly between said way members, anda spring acting to yieldingly hold said transfer arms in retractedposition with their upper ends projecting above the plane of said waymembers and positioned to receive a receptacle discharged from saidtable.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a supportcomprising spaced uprights, a pair of supporting brackets havingvertically elongated bearings therein and forwardly facing keepers aboveand below said bearings, said keepers being provided with downwardlyinclined guides, a table provided with hangers journaled in saidbearings in said supporting brackets and provided with detents adaptedto engage with the lower keepers when the table is in upright positionand with the upper keepers when the table is in inverted position, anangled post mounted for longitudinal adjustment on the rear end of saidtable in overhanging relation to a receptacle on the table, a receptacleholder pivotally mounted on said post and having arms on opposite sidesof its pivot disposed at an angle to each other, one arm being adaptedto engage the bottom of a receptacle and the other an edge thereof, anda rearwardly inclined way disposed with its front ends below said tableto receive the receptacle discharged therefrom.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a supportcomprising spaced uprights, a pair of supporting brackets havingvertically elongated bearings therein and forwardly facing keepers aboveand below said bearings, said keepers being provided with downwardlyinclined guides, at table provided with hangers journaled in saidbearings in said supporting brackets and provided with detents adaptedto engage with the lower keepers when the table is in upright positionand with the upper keepers when the table is in inverted position, apivotally mounted angled holder on said table having a part projectingforwardly from its pivot when the table is in upright position to engagethe bottom of a receptacle and a part projecting rearwardly from itspivot to engage a rear portion of the receptacle, a'rearwardly inclinedway disposed below said table to receive the receptacle dischargedtherefrom, a transfer arm pivotally mounted at its lower end, and aspring acting to yieldingly hold said transfer arm in retracted positionwith its upper end projecting above the plane of said way and positionedto receive a receptacle discharged from said table.

a. In an apparatus of the class described. the combination of a supportcomprising spaced uprights, a pair of supporting brackets havingvertically elongated bearings therein and forwardly facing keepers aboveand below said bearings, said keepers being provided with downwardlyinclined guides, a table provided with hangers journaled in saidbearings in said supporting brackets and provided with detents adaptedto engage with the lower keepers when the table is in up right positionand with the upper keepers when the table is in inverted position, and apivotally mounted angled holder on said table having a part projectingforwardly from its pivot when the table is in upright position to engagethe bottom of a receptacle and a part projecting rearwardly from itspivot to engage a rear portion of the receptacle.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pair ofsupporting brackets having vertically elongated bearings and forwardlyfacing keepers above and below said bearings, said keepers beingprovided with downwardly inclined guides, a table provided with hangersjournaled in said bearings in said supporting brackets and provided withdetents engageable with said keepers when the table is in upright andinverted positions, a holder mounted on said table to engage areceptacle arranged thereon and automatically actuated to clampingposition by the weight of the receptacle during the reversing movementof the table, and a support to which the receptacle is automaticallydischarged when thetable is swung to inverted position.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pair ofsupporting brackets having bearings and forwardly facing keepers aboveand below said bearings, a table provided with hangers journaled in saidbearings in said supporting brackets and provided with detentsengageable with said keepers when the table is in upright and invertedpositions, and automatically engaging and releasing means for holding areceptacle during the reversing movement of the table.

7 In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pair ofsupporting brackets having bearings and forwardly facing keepers aboveand below said bearings,

a table provided with hangers journaled in said bearings in saidsupporting brackets and provided with detents engageable with saidkeepers when the table is in upright and inverted positions, and meansfor holding a receptacle during the reversing movement of the table.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support,a table provided with hangers journaled on said supportfor rotative andvertical movement, said support being provided with keepers above andbelow the journal, the table being provided with detents engageable withand disengageable from said keepers with a combined vertical androtative movement of the table, and a receptacle holder mounted on saidtable to be automatically engaged by a rearward movement of thereceptacle on the table and automatically released by a forward movementof the receptacle relative to the'table.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support,and a table provided with hangers journaled on said sup port forrotative and vertical movement, said support being provided with keepersabove and below the journal, the table being provided with detentsengageable with and dis engageable from said keepers with a combinedvertical and rotative movement of the table,

10. In an apparatus of the class described, the combinationof a support,a table provided with hangers j ournaled on said support, coactingkeepers and detents on said table and support adapted to releasably holdthe table in its upright and reversed positions, and a receptacle holderpivotally mounted on the rear of the table and adapted to engage thebottom and a rear part thereof so that as the table is swungfromvnpright to reversed position the weight ofthe receptacle acts tohold said holder in engagement with the receptacle and the holder isautomatically released when the table is in inverted position.

11. In the apparatus of the class described, the combination of asupport, a table provided with hangers journaled on said support, and areceptacle holder pivotally mounted on the rear of the table and adaptedto enga e the bottom and a rear part thereof so thht as the table isswung from upright to reversed position the weight' of the receptacleacts to hold said holder in engagement with the receptacle and theholder is automatically felcased when the table is in inverted posi-10H.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of asupport, atable provid-' ed withhangers journaled on said support,coacting keepers and detents on said table and support adapted toreleasably hold the table in its upright and reversed positions, and areceptacle holder on said table.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of areversably mounted table. automatically engaging means for releasablysupporting said table in its upright and reversed positions, and areceptacle holder carried by said table and adapted to be held inengagement With the receptacle during the reversing of the table by theWeight of the receptacle.

let. In an apparatus of the class described. the combination of areversably mounted table, an angled post mounted at the rear end of thetable in overhanging relation to a receptacle on the table, and areceptacle holder pivotally mounted on said post and having arms onopposite sides of its pivot disposed at an angle to each other, one armbeing adapted to engage the bottom of a receptacle and the other an edgethereof.

15. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of areversably mounted table, and a pivotally mounted receptacle holdercarried by said table and having arms on opposite sides of its pivotdisposed at an angle to each other, one arm being adapted to engage thebottom of a receptacle and the other an edge thereof.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of areversably mounted table, and a pivotally mounted holder on said tablehaving a part projecting forwardly from its pivot When the table is inupright position to engage the bottom of a receptacle and a partprojecting rearwardly from its pivot to engage a rear portion of thereceptacle.

17. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of areversably mounted table, and a pivotally mounted receptacle holdercarried by the table and having parts engaging the sides and bottom. ofthe receptacle so that the load on the parts engaging the sides of thereceptacle as the table is reversed acts to urge the part engaging thebottom of the receptacle against the receptacle.

18. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of areversably mounted table, and a receptacle holder carried by the tableand arranged to engage a side and bottom thereof so that pressure on thepart engaging the side of the receptacle urges the part engaging thebottom of the receptacle against the receptacle during the reversing ofthe table.

19. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination, of areversably mounted table, and a receptacle holder pivotally mounted onsaid table and provided with an arm engaging the rear side of the recep-DWIGHT W. VVADSVVORTH.

